Tea in The Sea

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

I'm back!

Hey guys!
Wow! It's been such a long time I can barely believe it!
So as some of you have figured out by now I'm in the gorgeous state of Maryland/DC doing everything I can to help President Barack Obama.

In a freakish state of events I somehow ended up rooming with a twitter celebrity (unplanned of course!). If possible she's crazier than me, and hilarious to follow (so please do that!)
In an attempt to have me turn to the dark side, she's had me get back on twitter, so now you can hear my rants all day long! Please follow me @LylasLife I would love it!

I'll definitely try to upload a couple of videos over the next few days to let you all know how I'm doing!
Love,
Lyla.

Oh and I just realized that one of my video's was set to private (no wonder no one was watching it!), so here it is! Enjoy and let me know what you think!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Tahrir and a Free Egypt

Walking into Tahrir square I could not help but feel tense. So much had taken place since I had last strolled down those very streets to class. A revolution had happened. Not just one that had removed its dictator, but one that had changed the entire face of the Egyptian population.

Walking through the square I could not help but be surprised by the sights I saw.

People (predominantly educated youth) had all bought brooms and were cleaning up the streets as the city moved by. It’s not seen as a chore, rather an honor to contribute part of themselves to the country. What was most astounding, what took me completely by surprise is that it has somehow become a social gathering; for people to meet up in their neighborhoods- talk about the latest political gossip and sweep.
Companies were capitalizing on this wave on national pride. I saw jotun (the paint company) supplying paint to volunteers and staff to rebeautify Cairo. Most strikingly, was the newly painted triumphant gold representing victory that now covered the old grime covered green of the past regime.
The Egypt was now the latest free country. And there’s nothing that everyone was most proud of…. They did it peacefully. They regained their dignity without violence. And even when things were at their worst (when Mubarak didn’t step down during his speech) the demonstrators were able to keep control, and show why masr um al donya. I’m proud to be Egyptian. I’m proud of my countrymen. We are now an example for the rest of the world to follow.

We’re back.

Maryland

I’m sitting here, and the weirdest song comes over the speakers…. New York, New York

Nothing can be as powerful as fate.

The circumstances under which I found myself going to Maryland and the time frame (only a few hours to pack!) would be unbelievable had I not been there and experienced it firsthand.

It’s true that nothing is as powerful as fate.

If you’re meant to be somewhere, one way or another you’re going to end up there. With my health issues, financial concerns, and over-protective parents, I could have never imagined working out in this way, and being pushed into the direction I’m now in. I would have NEVER imagined this could happen this way, let alone in under 2 days.

I have yet to find out about my environment, my work, or my (hopefully!) future friends, but something tells me that it’ll work out.

It’s already been decided.

I just want you all to know how much I miss you, and how grateful l am to have you in my life.

See you on the other side!

Lyla.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

UPDATE: Egyptian Protests- Sunday

I woke up this morning to the most astounding news.
Friends and family in Cairo have told me that the looting that has been taking place have not been prisoners, but by the police.

The police seemed to have disappeared from the streets yesterday, with the protestors worrying what they were up to next. No one could have imagined the new low that the regime would take by encouraging the police to loot homes across the country.

There have been many cases of neighborhood watches that have caught police redhanded stealing from homes.

I guess if they can't rule people with terror, they've decided to take everyone down with them.
Disgusting.

Not only have the police been attacking people in they're homes, they've taken it upon themselves to release thousands of prisoners from prisons near Cairo.

I worry that since many people are afraid of their houses being looted they won't show up today for protests. I hope that's not the case.
We'll see what happens.

Lyla.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Update: Egyptian Protests

The situation seems to begetting worse and worse...

So far curfew has been imposed, and the military has been taking control.

The protestors however have not left, and seem to be getting more violent. The ruling party's (NDP) headquarters downtown has been set on fire.

President Hosni Mubarak is scheduled to speak soon.

Will let you know how it goes.

Wish them luck,